A coalition of business and political leaders kicked off an initiative Friday aimed at transforming the area around Atlanta’s airport into a world-class business magnet.

The Atlanta Aerotropolis Alliance will develop a strategic plan to determine the best types of corporate development to target and leverage the resources of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to attract that desired business growth.

“We have an advantage. We are in the busiest and best airport in the world,” Joe Folz, general counsel of Porsche Cars North America, which is building a $100 million headquarters adjacent to Hartsfield-Jackson, said during a news conference at the airport. “In a world where all business has become global, nothing could be more important than that.”

Folz will serve as chairman of the alliance, which held its first board meeting Friday.

Cherry said another advantage as the alliance begins its work is a huge supply of open land around the airport, unlike sections of metro Atlanta including Buckhead, Midtown and the Perimeter, which already are built out.

“We have more sites available than the north,” Cherry said. “There are a lot of opportunities to bring businesses in.”

Doug Hooker, executive director of the Atlanta Regional Commission, which helped spearhead formation of the alliance, said the group will work closely with the leadership of two community improvement districts being formed near the airport.

He said the alliance also will look to attract a major global airport industry conference to Hartsfield-Jackson within two years.

The alliance’s activities will be financed through member contributions.

Dave Williams covers Government

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